Beausoleil Albums (19)
What The Critics Say
Formed in 1975 by fiddler Michael Doucet, Beausoleil has always kept the traditional music of Acadiana at the center of things, even as the group has expanded and brought elements of jazz, zydeco, blues, calypso, and swamp pop into the music. They're also a dance band, and though the group has recorded several albums, and gone through fairly frequent personnel changes (Doucet and his brother, guitarist David Doucet, are the constants at the core of the band), Beausoleil's mix of loose 2-steps, stately waltzes, and swampy dance reels have always been structured for motion and movement. This set, recorded live in an intimate setting with a small audience in 2007, serves as a sort of career retrospective for this impressive little band, always at its best when there's a dancefloor in sight. Highlights include the gloriously lurching "Cajun Crawl," the swampy stomp of "Zydeco Gris Gris," and the post-Katrina poignancy of "Mardi Gras Song," but all of the 14 tracks on the CD are cut from the same delightful cloth. Also included is a DVD of the show, and the combination provides a great portrait of a stubbornly consistent and still fun and vital band some 30-plus years into things. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Beausoleil may be as synonymous with Cajun culture as Tasso ham, gumbo filé, and mudbugs, but the veteran shape-shifting Zydeco act is as adept at creating fusion food as it is traditional fare. Bandleader Michael Doucet's evenhanded fiddling and expressive, amiable voice lead the charge on Alligator Purse, the band's first for the Yep Roc label. Beausoleil flex their Cajun backbone on opener "Reel Cajun/452 North St. Joseph St.," one of a handful of straight-up bayou barnburners ("Carrière Zydeco," "Bosco Stomp") that are as timeless as they are electrifying, but it's the band's penchant for seamless genre-hopping that solidifies its well-deserved reputation as an American institution. Doucet and his small but formidable army's tasteful renderings of the blues ("Rouler et Tourner"), jazz ("Marie"), and old-timey country ("Little Darlin'") -- the latter featuring some high and lonesome crooning from Natalie Merchant -- always keep true to regional ingredients like accordion, Dixieland horns, and a steady Cajun backbeat, resulting in the kind of all-day street party that welcomes both purists and tourists with open arms, cold beer, and steaming plates of Louisiana cooking. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
'Live in Louisiana'
Release Date 9/26/2006
Tracks 12
Label Way Down in Lou
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Beausoleil are the ne plus ultra of Cajun music, and there's certainly nothing here to tarnish their reputation. By now, of course, their command of Cajun music is beyond compare, both in keeping up the tradition and expanding it. Michael Doucet remains a sterling leader, and a remarkable fiddler in the style. The music, a mix of traditional and original pieces, not only pays homage to the past (as on the punningly titled "Me and Dennis McGee"), but pushes into the future, taking a bluesy detour on "La Flech d'Amour" en route to the beauty of "Les Fleurs," with its gorgeously melodic fiddle; it's definitely Cajun music, but still startlingly different. Indeed, about the only place the album falters is on the English-language "Windhorse Eyes," which comes across as countrified cliché, albeit very well done. However, everything else more than makes up for it, especially "Soleil Brille," a lovely song that blossoms into an excellent, lyrical instrumental break. They keep the fire alive on the two traditional pieces, as well as on Canray Fontenot's "Malinda," an energetic, rhythmic workout that's as much zydeco as Cajun. Beausoleil don't release new records often -- certainly not often enough -- but each one is guaranteed to be a treat. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide
'Looking Back Tomorrow Beausoleil Live'
Release Date 1/16/2001
Tracks 15
Label Rhino
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Arc de Triomphe Two-Step'
Release Date 11/18/1997
Tracks 12
Label Hemisphere
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The music that comprises Arc de Triomphe Two-Step was recorded in 1976 in Paris, but it sat unreleased for several years before it was finally released on CD in 1997. Although this was recorded early in his career, the album is surprisingly lively and accomplished. Michael Doucet's fiddling is vigorous, infectious and almost astonishing, breathing new life into this set of traditional tunes. For any longtime Beausoleil fan, this is a necessary listen, if only for the revelations it offers about his early career. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
'L' l'Amour Ou la Folie'
Release Date 1/14/1997
Tracks 14
Label Rhino
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
From the first track of L'Amour Ou la Folie to the last, Michael Doucet and Beausoleil cover a wide array of material, from original compositions to adaptations of popular songs from the 1930s. With few exceptions, it all works marvelously. There are some oddities here, like the I-think-this-works-but-I'm-not-sure "Can't You See" (a "swamp pop" song from the '50s that answers the question, "What would Fats Domino sound like if he lived on the bayou?"), but the majority of the tracks on this record are traditional tunes or fairly straight-ahead Doucet originals. This album is a relaxed outing in all regards, and even the up-tempo tracks, such as the terrific fiddle feature "Newz Reel," aren't aggressively driving. Beausoleil do a good job with the arrangements, making good use of guest artists to supply color from piano, clarinet, and pedal steel, the high point being the inclusion of Richard Thompson's guitar on two songs. Beausoleil has already acknowledged their appreciation of Thompson by covering his song "Valerie" on 1994's tribute album Beat the Retreat, and now Thompson returns the favor. Most notable is his performance on the outstanding title track, where he contributes some ferocious electric solos. Doucet's singing, when he stays within his range, is mostly good here. On the best tracks, such as "Les Blues de Creve de Faim," it is evocative and emotionally wringing. However, at its worst, it borders on the offensive, as on "Les Blues de la Prison." Even on the stronger tracks, Doucet has some pitch problems, which, although charming, colorful, and completely idiomatic, really begin to grate in large doses (his howling on the traditional "Eunice Two-Step" simply must be heard to be believed). In fact, there is a noticeable decline in the overall quality of the material the further one gets into the album. In selective doses, however, this is a solid record, one that seems made for being listened to on a languid summer day on the back porch, with your feet propped up and a tall glass of iced tea in one hand. Fans of the genre could do a lot worse. ~ Daniel Gioffre, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Cajun band BeauSoleil is living proof that just because you play within the tradition, that doesn't mean you have to cleave to every old-time performance practice. This album is dedicated to past masters of the Cajun art, but it also features atypical Cajun instruments like the banjo, vibraphone, and the steel guitar. In addition the repertoire and arrangements push the boundaries, too. The result is that tasty confection one could call "art folk." Most of the songs are standouts, so it's hard to pick examples, but one is "Lizette La Douce," which is an old blues number from the '20s. It sounds like a cross between early jazz and Django Reinhardt, featuring banjo, rhythm guitar, and the cloppity-clop style of '20s drumming. BeauSoleil leader Michael Doucet wisely resisted the temptation to transform it into a Cajunized fox-trot. Another really fun tune is "La Cravatte a Ziggy Zag," which is a rollicking children's two-step with tongue-twisting lyrics about the best way to dress. The album crosses the line between thoughtful and fun and should not be missed. Its only fault is that the liner notes do not include the lyrics in either French or English. ~ Kurt Keefner, All Music Guide
'The Spirit of Cajun Music'
Release Date 8/19/1994
Tracks 14
Label Swallow
See Album Tracklist and Review
